Stockton Sixth Form College has been praised in an Ofsted report for its high A-Level pass rates and positive college ethos.

Stockton Sixth Form College has been praised in an Ofsted report for its high A-Level pass rates and positive college ethos.

A team of 14 inspectors gave the college a favourable report, but highlighted areas for improvement in GCSE and intermediate courses.

The college was commended for its high teaching standards on most courses and its efficient financial management.

Officers said one-to-one student-teacher support at the college was "highly valued" by students.

Curriculum grades judged to be good included sciences, computer technology, and visual and performing arts. Maths, English, business, leisure and tourism, and modern foreign languages were satisfactory.

More than 70% of the overall teaching and learning at the college was judged to be good or better, and attendance in lessons was good at 87.5%.

Only 6pc of teaching and learning was deemed unsatisfactory.

Principal Howard Clarke said the college accepted the comments about the need to improve some GCSE results, but said they must be seen in context.

He said: "Some young people in the area are looking for a second chance to take GCSEs - and we are the only college that provides a good range of these opportunities, within a learning environment that specifically supports the 16-19 age group.

"Many of these young people do add to their GCSE passes and gain a sufficient number to progress onto A-Level, work or university."

He said the college was already working on raising all GCSE pass rates to the standards of those achieved in the best subjects.

It had appointed a learner support teacher to help students taking GCSEs and GNVQ Intermediate courses, before publication of the report.